Determined to prevent a possible third wave of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic as is being witnessed in some countries across the world, the Minister of the FCT Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, Monday, held meeting with a delegation from the FCT League of Imams Initiative led by its Chairman, Imam (Dr) Tajudeen M.B Adigun.
The meeting discussed the modalities of holding Eid prayers for the upcoming Eid el-Fitr celebrations.
In his remarks, the Minister thanked the religious leaders for their cooperation in the course of the battle against COVID-19 in the FCT and said that having gone through a first wave of the pandemic and a second wave that caused more fatalities and had increased number of positives, it was imperative to prevent a possible third wave.
Consequently, based on presentations made by officials of the Health and Human Services Secretariat of the FCTA and the Implementation Guidelines for Phased Restriction of Movement issued by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 on Monday. 10th May 2021, the following guidelines are approved.
i. There will be no Eid prayers at the National Eid prayer ground along the Umaru Musa Yar’adua Expressway (Airport Road)
ii. All worshippers are enjoined to hold Eid prayers outdoors within the premises of their neighborhood Juma’at mosques
iii. Indoor worship are to be limited to less than 50% of installed capacity
iv. Religious authorities are advised to regulate the flow of people entering and exiting places of worship.
v. All non-pharmaceutical intervention protocols of facial coverings, physical distancing and hand washing are to be observed
vi. All other Eid celebrations and activities should be confined to homes as all public parks, recreation and entertainment centers are to be closed.
At the end of the meeting, the Chairman of the FCT League of Imams Initiative, Dr Tajudeen Mohammed Bello Adigun, speaking on behalf of the League, said “In Islam, you listen to experts, those who are specialists and those who have actually discussed with us are experts in the field of medical sciences. In Islam, you also abide with the commands of leadership”.
Dr Adigun added “Based on this and what we are convinced of, we urge Muslim Ummah to also respect this stand of the Administration of the FCT by observing our Eid prayers within our localities,” Anthony Ogunleye, Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister quoted him as saying.
